Trump Envoy Lobbies FIFA to Replace Iran With Italy at 2026 World Cup

In a remarkable development that highlights the intersection of global politics and football, US special envoy Paolo Zampolli has confirmed he's formally suggested to both Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino that Italy should replace Iran at the upcoming World Cup. The proposal, revealed in an interview with the Financial Times, underscores just how unconventional the road to 2026 has become.

Zampolli, an Italian-American socialite and businessman who reportedly introduced Trump to Melania, has made an official pitch to FIFA leadership requesting Iran be removed from the tournament, with the four-time World Cup champions Italy taking their place. The Azzurri failed to qualify for the third straight tournament last month following a heartbreaking penalty shootout defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina in the playoff final. Under standard FIFA regulations, they won't be participating. But as Zampolli's proposal demonstrates, these aren't ordinary circumstances.

Diplomatic maneuvers disguised as football strategy

The proposal isn't solely based on sporting credentials — Zampolli acknowledges the diplomatic motivations behind the suggestion. Sources indicate the move aims to mend fences between Trump and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, whose relationship soured after she publicly criticized the US president's remarks about Pope Leo XIV during recent Iran-related tensions. Apparently, gifting a World Cup spot qualifies as modern diplomatic outreach.

Iran's World Cup participation has faced legitimate uncertainty since hostilities between Iran, the United States, and Israel erupted on February 28. The Iranian football federation has been in ongoing discussions with FIFA regarding potentially relocating their group stage fixtures from American venues to Mexico. This represents a genuine logistical challenge that FIFA must address, lending at least some practical context to discussions about potential replacements.

However, FIFA has made its position crystal clear. Infantino made the trip to Turkey last month specifically to attend Iran's friendly match against Costa Rica, and delivered an unequivocal message afterward: Iran will compete at the World Cup, playing "where they are supposed to be, according to the draw." It's about as definitive a rejection as FIFA issues without releasing an official declaration.

Implications for tournament planning and betting markets

Until FIFA provides final confirmation regarding Iran's group opponents and match venues, significant uncertainty clouds that portion of the tournament bracket. Any nation drawn into Iran's group at a US-hosted venue will be monitoring this situation attentively — changes to match locations impact travel logistics, team preparation, and crowd support in ways that subtly influence competitive outcomes.

Italy's chances of appearing at a tournament partially hosted on their home continent remain, officially speaking, non-existent. Zampolli characterizes the proposal as a "dream." Infantino has effectively labeled it dead on arrival. For now, that dream remains firmly in the realm of fantasy.